A false rumor of the death of veteran West Bengal actor Biplab Chattopadhyay spread on social media this week. The actor is in good health, and after learning of the rumor, he responded himself in a video message.
The rumor began after a photo of Chattopadhyay was posted on social media along with a claim that he had died. The news spread quickly and worried his fans. West Bengal Motion Pictures later confirmed that Chattopadhyay was in good health and that the reports of his death were entirely false.
The actor then addressed the matter himself. In a video message, he said: “A report has spread saying I’ve died. I will die one day, of course. But I’ll stay as long as God keeps me here. Whoever did this, please stop. Don’t go around declaring people dead so casually. Not just about me — don’t say this about anyone. Think a little before you say it.”
Chattopadhyay described such rumor-mongering as a “lack of education,” saying that any information shared on social media should be verified before being posted.
Turning to the roles he has played, the actor made light of the situation. “You’ve seen me play plenty of villains. Many people know me as a bad guy on screen. But I’m not as bad as our political leaders,” he said.
False death reports are not new in the entertainment world; several other celebrities have been the subject of similar rumors in the past, which were later confirmed false by the individuals themselves or their families.
Chattopadhyay is a familiar face in Bengali cinema, known over a long career for playing a wide range of characters, particularly negative and villainous roles that have earned him a distinct reputation among audiences. Responding to the false rumor of his own death, the veteran actor turned that villainous reputation into a moment of humor.